Kishani sings for Visakha:
Glittering Diva in breathtaking performance
by Charmaine De Silva
Every once in a while, something extraordinary happens and if fate is
kind, one gets to be a part of it. One such event was ‘Kishani sings for
Visakha’.
I was on holiday in Sri Lanka and visiting a friend on Vajira Road
when I saw an unusually large, glamorous poster draped on the wall near
the main entrance of Visakha Vidyalaya. Curiosity sent me inside to find
out more, and I found myself coming out with tickets for a ‘classical
concert on the lighter side’.
I have not been a follower or real fan of classical music, however,
all that changed dramatically after the concert on Sunday. A week later,
I am still dreaming about the magical evening that I literally stumbled
upon.
I walked in with a general expectation of seeing an above average
classical music concert. Armed with little more than just a general idea
of vocal music, I was prepared to leave at the interval if the show was
not to my taste. Nearly two hours later, I found myself mesmerised and
full of admiration not only for Kishani but for Visakha as well.
Illustrious daughters
The school had obviously gone to a lot of trouble to prepare a
platform for one of her most illustrious daughters – Kishani, who had
been an all rounder and shone throughout her school career. The
surroundings were immaculate and pristine; with many girls decked in
black sporting little badges and managing the vast crowd and
energetically and politely ushering in the audience.
The giant billboard at the entrance of the hall reminded me of being
at a Bollywood function rather than a classical concert at a national
school, but if truth be told, I really quite liked it and it certainly
set the tone of the evening to come.
From the very start of the evening, one got the feeling that it was
going to be a very special night. Upon entering the hall, a warm blue
glow enveloped the very wide and deep wooden stage, dressed with two
ceremonial brass lamps with thick jasmine strands on either side; a star
curtain shimmering discreetly at the back and a cut out of the title in
gold suspended from the top.
Two screens on either side of the stage boasted the poster that
brought me to the concert in the first place and in all it was a very
impressive first impression. Sprouting amongst the admiration however,
were two major personal concerns.
Firstly, the prudence of hosting a classical concert in an open and
very large space and secondly, worry about the humidity and heat that
permeated the place. The first proved to be an unnecessary worry, the
second however, was a concern that carried on during the course of the
evening.
Amazingly however, whilst I was aware of the warmth at the back of my
mind, it didn’t actually bother me at all, and certainly not enough to
detract from the spell Kishani continued weaving throughout the night.
Charming
Arun Dias Bandaranaike, the compere for the evening, was his usual
charming self. He introduced each piece in detail and seamlessly passed
the baton to Kishani, who caught it and glided into the hall like a
vision in gold. She carried on the first half with such seamless grace,
elegance, confidence and supreme vocal finesse, it was easy to
understand how and why the school had placed such honour upon this young
performing artiste.
The evening started with a medley (a theme that was to present itself
throughout the evening) of Classical songs in varied European languages
and followed by a segment dedicated to mothers.
Appropriate considering it was Mother’s Day, but it was the choice
that had me most interested. Starting with a gut wrenching and
exquisitely sung (another theme that would run throughout the evening)
piece by Tippet, it went into a Sinhalese folk sing, accompanied almost
entirely with touching music from the flute.
Admittedly, it is the first time I had heard a ‘siu padaya’ sung
operatically, but it was innovative and heartbreakingly beautiful.
This then led to the most stunning version of Gershwin’s Summertime I
have ever heard - an opinion shared by many if the applause afterwards
was any indication. Kishani finished off the first half with three
Puccini arias.
It was obvious she is very much at home in this repertoire as she
sang each piece, back to back, with such power and panache and exhibited
such quality of voice that the collective mass of 850 bodies in the
hall, seemed completely star struck. At the end of the interval, the
audience seemed positively eager to come back for more.
Attire
And more indeed we all got. Attired in a silvery blue-- perhaps her
attire too keeping in line with the blue and gold school colours- sheath
dress covered in sparkles and sporting a stunning necklace one usually
only sees in a jewellery display, Kishani started showing us the lighter
side she had been billed to present.

Members of the organising committee with Kishani Jayasinghe |
Starting with a medley from the Sound of Music which had almost every
eye in the audience well up with a tear of nostalgia; she went on to a
medley from the Musicals.
Beautiful tunes and poignant lyrics had the crowd humming along and
trying to identify the source of each familiar tune. This was followed
by three melting moments from the movies.
The final piece for the evening of People from Funny Girl, ended with
a breath catching long phrase which had the audience applauding long
before the song ended. This brought about a spontaneous standing ovation
of the kind that artistes must surely dream about.
This ovation continued until those who I assume to be the past and
present principals of the school, felicitated this extraordinary young
woman with flowers and gifts and returned to their seats.
They then went on to an encore of ‘I could have danced all night’
from My Fair Lady that had the crowd clapping to the rhythm of the beat
and ended the night with everyone present surely dancing in their
hearts.
Ensemble
It was a night to remember. The ensemble led by the very experienced
Soundarie David Rodrigo at the piano, was supported with flair by Sureka
Amarasinghe at the flute.
Satish Casie Chetty on violin and Shamistha De Silva at the cello
added an additional dimension to the performance.
Jerome De Silva’s lighting was simple but so very effective, creating
an ambiance that transported even the most seasoned concert attendee to
a magical place. Arun’s comments and Kishani’s own causal interjections
informative, amusing and emotional.
The organisation was meticulous and thorough; the elegant souvenir
distributed free of charge was an unexpected bonus.
The accolade for Heroine of the Night however, must surely be placed
on the very deserving and strong shoulders of Miss Jayasinghe. She held
an audience single handedly in the palm of her hand - to pin drop
silence - for nearly two hours. There were no gimmicks, guest artistes
or any other type of filler, just pure unadulterated vocal and
performing prowess of the highest calibre.
I may not have known very much about either Lady at the start of the
evening, but by the time the curtain came down, I was a firm fan of
both. The Alma Mater, Visakha, a clear winner in Her choice of recipient
for such adoration and honour.
The daughter, Kishani Jayasinghe, a beautiful and gracious Diva and a
glittering Ambassador, not only for Visakha but for Sri Lanka as well.
|